Lucas's eyes snapped open.
His body was drenched in sweat—not from exertion, but from the cold, alien pressure still crawling on the inside of his skull like centipedes made of memory.
The ritual was over… but the Progenitor's gaze hadn't left him.
He sat up slowly, blinking away static in his vision. His hearing came back in layers—crackling torches, groaning stone from shifting foundations, and Mira's voice.
"You're awake," she said, cautiously. "You didn't… say anything. For hours."
Lucas rubbed his temples. "Sorry. Got stuck in a meeting with the ancient nightmare living in our basement."
Mira crossed her arms. "And how did that go?"
"He tried to crush my mind with sheer authority. I responded with trauma and sarcasm. You know, classic diplomacy."
System Prompt – Passive Unlock
> [Bloodline Archive Entry #1 Unlocked]
Origin Chain: Veinbound King
Fragment Recovered – Power Alignment: 7%
[Mental Stability: 61% — Recommend rest or fresh blood]
[New Trait: Blood-Echo Memory]
Lucas can now perceive remnants of past bloodline holders in places of strong death.
Before Mira could ask anything else, Lucas stood, nearly collapsing before catching himself.
"I'm fine," he lied.
"You're pale."
"I'm always pale."
"No, more pale. Like 'you've-seen-the-end-of-time' pale."
Lucas turned to the sealed chamber. The sixth chain was still glowing… but it had stopped throbbing. For now.
He could feel the entity beneath retreating—but not in defeat.
It was watching.
Waiting.
Later that Night
Lucas stood on the half-constructed battlements of the vampire citadel. Fires crackled below as the nightguard sharpened their blades and shifted uneasily in their armor.
Mira joined him, arms tucked behind her back. "The others are restless."
Lucas nodded. "They should be."
"They're whispering about the seal. About the Progenitor. Some think… he's already in you."
Lucas turned, red eyes glowing faintly. "Would a possessed man be this sarcastic?"
Mira didn't flinch. "Yes."
Lucas chuckled. "Fair."
System Notification – Clan Alert
> [Clan Fear Level: Rising]
[Crypt Whispers Detected in Sector 3]
[Morale Drop: -8% | Instincts Spiking: +12%]
Suggestion: Hold a feast or ritual combat event to stabilize clan loyalty.
Warning: Chain 6 may respond to concentrated blood gatherings.
Lucas stared at the notification.
A feast… while the chains still glow?
"I hate my job," he muttered.
Elsewhere in the Crypt
Beneath the seal, where no vampire dared tread, the Progenitor stirred.
Its voice slithered through ancient bloodlines, speaking not through sound, but instinct.
And one among the blood clan—low-ranking, brittle-minded—answered.
Kneeling before the silent chains, he carved into stone with his claws. The sigil of broken fangs appeared again.
His lips moved in a whisper older than language.